Circling Raven Collects an Array of Honors from ZAGAT Survey 2009-10

Discerning Golfers and Travelers Give Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel Amenity High Marks in Several Best-of Categories

(Worley, IDAHO) – ZAGAT America’s Top Golf Courses 2009-10 (Sixth Edition) published its biennial results this month and Circling Raven Golf Club was lauded as one of the country’s best courses in multiple categories.

The ZAGAT survey covers 1,149 of the top courses in the U.S, including the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Results are based on input from 6,054 reviewers, collectively bringing in more than 640,000 annual rounds.

According to ZAGAT, courses that score between 26-30 points on a 30-point scale rate as “extraordinary to perfection.” Circling Raven scored in this highest category with 28 points.

Only 19 courses in the country scored higher – out of roughly 13,500 public access courses in the U.S. – including iconic names like Pebble Beach, Pinehurst No. 2 and Bethpage Black Course, which will host the 2009 U.S. Open Championship this summer.

ZAGAT survey respondents had much to share about Circling Raven including calling the course “majestic,” while another said Circling Raven’s golf course architect, Gene Bates, “aced the natural canvas” and that the surrounding land and “beauty define the setting.”

But perhaps this statement from one ZAGAT survey respondent spoke loudest: “If you are within 100 miles of Circling Raven head there and play it.”

Located an easy, scenic drive from Spokane International Airport (GEG) in eastern Washington, Circling Raven is owned and operated by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and part of the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel.

“Circling Raven was designed to honor the land on which it rests, as well as our Tribe and our people,” said CDA Casino Resort Hotel CEO David Lasarte-Meeks. “This pleases us greatly because it means we continue to uphold our responsibility and honor our heritage.”

Here are the other ZAGAT categories in which Circling Raven earned top scores:
* 40 Most Popular in the U.S.
* Top-Rated Service
* Scenic
* Par 3 Holes
* Practice Facilities
* Top Course by Region
* Quick Pace of Play
* Top-Rated Value

This is the latest award garnered by Circling Raven, which has accumulated more than 40 since its first full season (2004). Recent honors bestowed upon Circling Raven include:
* America’s Greatest Public Courses 2009-2010 – Golf Digest
* Top 100 Courses You Can Play 2008-09 – GOLF Magazine
* Top-40 Casino Courses in the U.S. (No. 4) – Golf Digest
* No. 1 in Idaho, America’s Best Courses You Can Play – Golfweek Magazine 2009
* Top U.S. Resort Courses – Golfweek Magazine 2008
* America's Top Golf Courses - Zagat Survey 2007-08 rankings
* No. 1 Tribal Golf Course in America - Native American Casino Magazine 2008
* Top 36 Resort Courses in the West – Fairways + Greens Magazine 2008
* Resort Merchandiser of the Year – PGA of America Northwest Section 2008
* Resort Merchandiser of the Year – Inland Empire Chapter of the PGA 2008
* Service Excellence Award by the Coeur d’Alene Area Chapter of the Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor

For more information about Circling Raven Golf Club or Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort & Hotel call 1-800-523-2464 or visit www.circlingraven.com.

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